Hertz lets you cancel a Pay Later reservation free any time before pickup. Prepaid rates are free to cancel within 24 hours of booking; after that, Hertz charges $100 (or time and mileage, if less) to cancel more than 24 hours before pickup and $200 (or time and mileage, if less) to cancel within 24 hours of pickup. Cancellation and no-show fees never exceed the total you prepaid.
The rest of this guide covers what a no-show costs, how to cancel or change a booking, what happens to points bookings and how long a refund takes, all from Hertz's own policy pages.
Pay Later Rates: Free to Cancel Before Pickup
If you booked a Pay Later rate, you can cancel free any time before your scheduled pickup time. The deadline that matters is the pickup time itself. If you haven't canceled by then and don't collect the car, Hertz says a no-show fee may be charged, so cancel before pickup rather than letting the reservation lapse.
Prepaid Rates: The 24-Hour Rules
Prepaying through Hertz's Pay Now program gets you a discount that Hertz says varies by location, length and date of rental, and doesn't apply in all cases. In exchange, canceling costs money once the first 24 hours after booking pass:
- Cancel within 24 hours of booking: no fee.
- Cancel more than 24 hours before pickup: $100, or time and mileage if that's less.
- Cancel within 24 hours of pickup: $200, or time and mileage if that's less.
- Don't cancel and don't pick up the car: the prepaid amount is forfeited.
Hertz caps cancellation and no-show fees at the total prepaid amount. Its prepaid terms also say there are no refunds or credits for unused rental days, so bringing the car back early doesn't get money back.
What a Hertz No-Show Costs
On a prepaid rate, Hertz's Pay Now terms say that if you don't cancel before the pickup time and the car isn't picked up on the rental date, the entire prepaid amount is forfeited. On a Pay Later rate, Hertz says a no-show fee may be charged if you haven't canceled before the scheduled pickup time. Either way, the move is the same: cancel before the pickup time.
Bookings Made With Hertz Points
If you booked with Hertz rewards points, cancel any time before scheduled pickup and all the points go back to your account. Miss that deadline and the points you redeemed for the rental are forfeited.
How to Cancel or Change a Hertz Reservation
For prepaid bookings, Hertz says changes must be made at Hertz.com using the Modify/Cancel option. You can make up to two changes before scheduled pickup, and changing or extending the reservation before pickup carries no fee, though any change may affect the rental charges. If the prepaid amount changes, Hertz charges or credits the difference to your credit card.
You'll need the same credit card you used for the original booking. To switch cards, Hertz says you have to cancel and make a new reservation, and that cancellation follows the fee rules above. Debit cards and Hertz credit cards aren't valid forms of payment for prepaid rates.
Prepaid rentals booked directly on Hertz.com can be extended at View/Modify/Cancel. For other prepaid rentals, Hertz says to call Customer Care at 800-654-3131.
How Long a Hertz Refund Takes
Hertz says refunds generally take about 5 to 7 business days to process after a cancellation. Your bank or card issuer may take up to 10 business days to return the funds to your account.
Which Rate to Book
If your plans could change, book Pay Later: you keep free cancellation right up to pickup. Prepay only when the trip is firm and the discount is worth the $100 or $200 you'd owe for canceling after the first 24 hours. Picking up at LAX? Our guide to Hertz at LAX covers where to catch the shuttle to the Rental Car Center.
Updated September 30, 2026: Rewritten with Hertz's current Pay Later and prepaid cancellation fees, no-show terms, points rules, change rules and refund timing.
